Nigeria’s real-time verification startup Chekkit selected for 8th Merck accelerator program

Nigerian real-time verification startup Chekkit is among the 12 startups from around the world that have been inducted into 8th edition of the Merck Accelerator. The startups were selected from the more than 500 applicants across 65 countries who had applied to join the programme. 

The Merck Accelerator was designed to establish collaborations and partnerships between startups and Merck. These collaborations will enable experienced Merck employees to co-create, conduct pilot projects and run proof of concepts with highly talented science and technology entrepreneurs – all supported by a highly flexible working environment and the Accelerator team.

More than 200 Merck experts with a variety of specialisms were involved in the strategic selection of the 12 startups with the highest potential for collaboration. 

According to Munya Chivasa, Head of the Merck Accelerator, “Working with startups has brought numerous opportunities to different areas of Merck and we are constantly adapting and evolving these programs to make them even more fruitful for both sides.” 

‘’We are delighted with the exceptionally high quality of the startups that have been selected for the Merck Accelerator’s 8th intake at the Merck Innovation Center and we wish them all the best and lots of collaborations in this new phase’’

The Merck Accelerator programme will provide the selected startups with access to three months of individual support and coaching from experts within the Merck network, as well as US$55,000 in funding and the opportunity to join the Merck China Innovation Hub in Shanghai for an extension of the programme.